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Star Trek: The Original Series Props – Auction House Archive, Part 1

As noted in recent articles, there are many Star Trek “Original Series” (1966-1969) era prop replicas that have been traded in the marketplace as authentic, fooling experts, dealers, and auction houses, as well as collectors.

As a result, there are profound challenges in authenticating the iconic, high value props from this classic television series, especially the Tricorder, Communicator, and Phaser. The current ’state of the marketplace’ poses a significant potential risk for Star Trek collectors who could inadvertently buy an inauthentic piece.

The most productive manner in which collectors can help other collectors to mitigate this risk is by talking to one another, sharing information, and spreading awareness of the ’state of the marketplace’ for these types of props and underscoring the importance of formal and thorough authentication.

I thought it would be productive to catalog and archive information relevant to these props. [Read more…]

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Star Trek TOS Original Series Tricorder Prop – eBay Seller Response

As written in yesterday’s article, “eBay Auction: Star Trek TOS Original Series Tricorder Prop“, an item was listed on eBay yesterday, marketed as an original tricorder prop from Star Trek: The Original Series, with an opening bid amount of $12,000, which has raised some concerns in the Star Trek collecting community as to it’s authenticity: “Star Trek TOS Original Series Tricorder Prop (1966-69)” (eBay Item #280203748990).

Alec Peters of the Star Trek Prop, Costume, and Auction Blog wrote an article about this auction on his blog today, “Alledged TOS Tricorder on ebay – Mark English replica?“. [Read more…]

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eBay Auction: Star Trek TOS Original Series Tricorder Prop

An item was listed on eBay yesterday, marketed as an original tricorder prop from Star Trek: The Original Series, with an opening bid amount of $12,000, which has raised some concerns in the Star Trek collecting community as to it’s authenticity: [Read more…]

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‘It’s A Wrap!’ Star Trek Auctions: Positive Customer Reports

As reported in late September and early November, hobbyists spanning several online discussion forums (primarily The Movie Prop Forum and the Star Trek Props, Costumes & Auctions Forum) had been outspoken about a variety of customer service complaints with It’s a Wrap and their handling of the official CBS ~ Paramount Television Star Trek auctions.

In monitoring the discussion forums and talking with collectors privately, it seems as though It’s A Wrap has turned things around significantly. I have learned from many collectors that customer service has improved significantly, auction wins have been delivered quickly/timely, and there seems to be much more positive buzz about the weekly auction events. I hope for both It’s A Wrap and their customers that these trends continue. [Read more…]

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Star Trek Christie’s Lawsuit – A Four Day News Story?

As covered in several previous articles (see “Star Trek Collector Sues Christie’s, CBS & Paramount Studios for $7 Million Dollars“, “Star Trek Christie’s Lawsuit Story, Fundamentals of Authenticity, & The Mainstream Media“, “Star Trek Christie’s Lawsuit – The Official Data’s Poker Visor Description Amendment“), a collector is suing CBS and Paramount Studios and Christies for $7 million dollars, claiming that the pieces won at the 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection auction event were “fake” or inauthentic. [Read more…]

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Star Trek Christie’s Lawsuit – The Official Data’s Poker Visor Description Amendment

As previously reported (see “Star Trek Collector Sues Christie’s, CBS & Paramount Studios for $7 Million Dollars“, “Star Trek Christie’s Lawsuit Story, Fundamentals of Authenticity, & The Mainstream Media“), a collector is suing CBS and Paramount Studios and Christies for $7 million dollars, claiming that the pieces won at the 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection auction event were “fake” or inauthentic. [Read more…]

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Star Trek Christie’s Lawsuit Story, Fundamentals of Authenticity, & The Mainstream Media

As reported here Friday (see “Star Trek Collector Sues Christie’s, CBS & Paramount Studios for $7 Million Dollars“), a collector is suing CBS and Paramount Studios and Christies for $7 million dollars, claiming that the pieces won at the 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection auction event were “fake” or inauthentic. [Read more…]

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Star Trek Collector Sues Christies, CBS & Paramount Studios for $7 Million Dollars

There is a news story in the New York Post about a collector who bid on and won items at the Christie’s “40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection” event in New York held in October 2006.

This was one of the biggest live auction events in the history of the hobby, with extensive press coverage. [Read more…]